Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

HI Alan You are certainly on the right track. A comprehensive institution plan takes time and the input of all stakeholders including members of the community. It does start with a great deal of brainstorming with various groups and then all together. Thanks to email, chat rooms, and conference call rooms it is possible to get ongoing feedback without dragging everyone to a meeting. A key to success is to be open to all ideas. Some ideas are good for right now, others for later, and the rest for a time in the future. We suggest planning for 5 years.… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Operating With Limited Resources

HI Alan, So what you are saying is that even before a person enrolls they are given "career counseling?" That during the admissions process they are screened for a match with the program they want to enroll in? And that the placement department interacts with them from the start? That sounds like a great plan. It helps to "attach" the student to the school and gets him/her to understand the resources available. And it shows your school is geared to the student's success. What a great model. Thanks for sharing it with us. Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Hi Lore, Sounds like you have a good program with field trips and job search skills. You might want to create a list of 20 things that the student should be able to do or know related to employment readiness and awareness and skills like interviewing, creating resumes, etc. Even with a 12 week program there can be placement and career awareness and skill building built into every classroom session. You'll be surprised how you increase placement and job retention. Best wishes, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Hi Lore Building a list of potential employers takes time and persistence and you have identified some ways to do that. You are right that first you have to develop relationships with employers who do hire your students. Start from the beginning and survey them as to how work-ready they feel your grads are. What other training may be needed? What else can the employers do to work with your school like doing presentations, holding mock interviews, etc. Then go after other companies that could hire your students and build relationships with them. Keeping all information in a database is… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Thanks for sharing all the community outreach activities you do as part of your career services offerings. You've discovered the secret of finding one person or group that can reach hundreds of others. Best wishes, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

HI Ron Sounds like you have an ideal placement department. We hope everyone reading this sees how important placement is for every department, for student success, and increased enrollment. Placement is also a great way to build community outreach. By contacting employers and prospective employers more people know about your school. By participating in local business and professional organizations it's great PR for your school. Can you share with us what your community outreach activities are? Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Great information, Lore. Interesting idea to offer several levels of vet tech training so that students have various completion points. To get them to continue must take follow up on your part. Maybe you can give us details. Yes, prospective students want to know how they will get assistance in seeking a job. So that's a reason admissions reps need to know all about your services. In fact, part of the admissions tour should be a visit with your department. Great that the vets and animal hospitals contact you about job openings. Are you also doing any outreach to vets,… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Very well said, Lore. We totally agree that placement services have to start with admissions and the first day of class. We also believe in the benefits of intern- and externships. Lots of opportunities, particularly for the student with limited work experience. And it helps students to really check out whether the program they enrolled in is for them. Can you tell us why your externship programs start at the beginning of the program. Most start in the middle or end so we are very curious about how they works and the benefits. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Hi Jack, Having the prospective student visit you as part of the admissions process is great. It reminds the prospect and the admissions rep that getting a job is what it is all about. It's great that you document the results of your efforts on increasing enrollment. Will help to secure budgets for your activities. Very good idea to manage the internship programs as well. It makes sense since you are already developing relationships with employers and prospective employers. You can also see what would improve the internship experiences so they increasingly benefit both the students and employers. And you… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

So well said, Jack. I hope everyone in career services prints your comments and acts on them and uses them as leverage to develop their departments. Career Services impacts on every department in the school and is a great community outreach and publicity vehicle. In the end it is the least expensive way to market to students. Word of mouth and referrals don't cost a lot once the systems are in place. Thanks, Susan